The Artesia Police Department will be presenting its 2016 Child Safety Fair Saturday, April 23, at Guadalupe Park, 401 W. Logan Ave. The event is free, and everyone is invited.

The fair will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and will offer information booths from a number of departments and organizations, including the APD, the Artesia Fire Department, Central Valley Electric, the Changing Lives Coalition, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Eddy County DWI, 7024U, the New Mexico Department of Health, Peñasco Valley Telecommunications, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, and Artesia Public Health and Children’s Medical Service.

Buckle Bear, a mascot promoting safety while traveling in vehicles, will be present for photo opportunities.

Along with the informational booths, the safety fair will also provide attendees with prizes, food, music and games.

The event is a chance for departments and groups to interact with the children of the Artesia community and their parents to inform them about a number of safety issues, such as being safe around downed power lines and the dangers of bullying.

The APD will also conduct a drug take-back day during the same hours, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Guadalupe Park.

Drug take-back events aim to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Items accepted will be prescriptions, prescription patches, pet medications, ointments, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and samples.

The services are free and anonymous with no questions asked, and directions on home disposal methods will also be available.

The APD and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will partner to recognize National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day with a second event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Artesia Public Library, 205 W. Quay Ave.